SANTA CLARA — Six months ago, after a crushing 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Brandon Aiyuk was cleaning out his locker and appeared unsure of what the future held.
Under contract for the 2024 season at a salary of $14.124 million, Aiyuk, like Nick Bosa before him in 2023, had performed in a way that far exceeded his option figure. A second-team All-Pro selection, Aiyuk caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 17.9 yards per reception.
Aiyuk, two days after the Super Bowl loss, was emotional and non-committal regarding his future with the club.
Asked about remaining with the 49ers, Aiyuk said, “If that’s the right move, yeah.” Asked a follow-up about what the right move would look like, Aiyuk said “being a champion.”
Aiyuk then turned his face to his locker and said, “That’s all I got.”
That was on Feb. 13, and a half-year later, Aiyuk, the 49ers and an anxious fan base are still waiting for a resolution as the market for wide receivers skyrocketed as comparable players landed huge deals.
A timeline of the Aiyuk saga:
April 15: DeVonta Smith signs a three-year, $75 million extension with Philadelphia with $51 million guaranteed.
April 24: Amon-Ray St. Brown signs a four-year, $120 million extension with Detroit with $77 million guaranteed. Average per year $30 million.
April 25: With the No. 31 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, the 49ers select wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. of Florida, fueling speculation they could be in the market to trade either Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel.
April 30: A.J. Brown signs a three-year, $96 million extension with Philadelphia with $84 million guaranteed. Average per year: $32 million.
May 20: The 49ers hold their first voluntary organized team activity session (OTA) and Aiyuk is not present. He will skip all voluntary practices leading up to training camp.
May 28: Nico Collins signs a three-year, $72.5 million extension with Houston with $52 million guaranteed. Average per year: $24.25 million.
May 30: Jaylen Waddle signs a three-year, $84.75 million extension with Miami with $76 million guaranteed. Average per year $28.25 million
June 3: Justin Jefferson signs a four-year, $140 million extension with Minnesota with a reported $110 million guaranteed. Average per year: $35 million.
#49ers Brandon Aiyuk walks onto the field and headed straight to John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan pic.twitter.com/JPdTzwDv92
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) July 31, 2024
June 4: The 49ers sign Christian McCaffrey to a two-year extension reportedly worth $38 million. On the first day of mandatory minicamp, the only no-shows are Aiyuk and tackle Trent Williams. Shanahan said Aiyuk’s absence was due to “contract stuff.”
June 16: In a TikTok post, Aiyuk tells Jayden Daniels of Washington, a former Arizona State teammate, that the 49ers “don’t want me here.”
June 24: Aiyuk has a face-to-face meeting with the 49ers at his request, but no details are divulged.
June 28: Asked by host Ryan Clark on his podcast “The Pivot” what uniform he’d be in for the 2024 season, Aiyuk said “If I were to take a guess, probably a Niners uniform. If not a Niners uniform, probably a Washington Commanders uniform. If not a Washington Commanders uniform, probably a Steelers uniform.”
July 16: Multiple outlets report Aiyuk has requested a trade from the 49ers, first reported by NFL Network.
July 23: The day before training camp opens, 49ers general manager John Lynch is asked at a press conference whether he expects Aiyuk to practice. “We expect all our players to practice,” Lynch said.
July 24: Aiyuk reports to the 49ers on the first day of training camp, but as a “hold-in” with no intention of practicing until a trade or contract extension is worked out. “We expected it, and I understand the situation fully,” Shanahan tells reporters. Aiyuk walks past reporters as practice is about to begin and makes a left-hand turn and walks toward Levi’s Stadium. While Aiyuk is on site, Williams is not. Shanahan confirms Williams is working out a contractual situation.
July 31: Aiyuk greets Lynch warmly and exchanges a hug with Shanahan as practice was beginning, with speculation that he had either agreed to terms on a contract or was saying goodbye after learning of a trade. Meanwhile, D.J. Moore signs a four-year, $110 million extension with Chicago with $82.6 million guaranteed. Average per year: $27.5 million.
Aug. 2: Shanahan downplays the significance of his on-field hug with Aiyuk at practice. “That’s usually how we greet each other, honestly. Bro hug, nothing more, nothing less,” Shanahan said.
Aug. 7: Aiyuk reportedly rejects a contract offer worth $32 million per season from New England due to uncertainty at quarterback, according to The Athletic.
Aug. 9: Aiyuk rejects a trade to Cleveland that would have brought the 49ers wide receiver Amari Cooper as well as second- and fifth-round draft picks, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
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Aug. 13: The 49ers and Steelers agree on the parameters of a deal that would send Aiyuk to Pittsburgh, reportedly one of his preferred destinations. No deal is announced as the 49ers have reportedly re-engaged in contract talks to retain Aiyuk, according to the NFL Network.
Aug. 14: Aiyuk watches practice on the sideline, appearing engaged and talking with teammates George Kittle, Samuel and Kyle Juszczyk.
Aug. 15: Aiyuk watches practice from a distance, at one point having a brief conversation with Samuel.
